Selyn Foundation was established in 2009 as the non-profit social impact arm of the Selyn Group, whose handloom business began in 1991. Through #SkillsToEmpower and #BleedGood, we support women's wellbeing and opportunities.
Who we are
A women-led organisation working where dignified livelihoods meet sustainable menstrual health.
Our Vision
A world where women and girls participate meaningfully and equitably in the sustainable development of their communities, with dignity, respect, confidence and pride.
Our Mission
Selyn Foundation is a women-led organisation committed to empowering women and girls through sustainable livelihood opportunities, accessible health education and resources including menstrual health (MHHM), and culturally informed programmes that strengthen the capacity and agency of women, youth and communities.
What guides us
Why we exist
To advance women’s dignity by addressing economic and bodily freedom together. The Foundation works where dignified livelihoods meet sustainable menstrual health, bringing together communities, government, civil society, development partners and the private sector.
Every woman deserves both the dignity of meaningful work and the freedom of a healthy body.
Since 1991
Sandra Wanduragala starts Selyn in her home garage in Wanduragala, Kurunegala, with 15 women artisans. It is built from the start as a women-led, women-centred social enterprise.
Selyn earns Fair Trade certification and joins the World Fair Trade Organization.
The Foundation is established as the social impact arm of the Selyn Group, on a simple conviction: advancing women's dignity means addressing economic and bodily freedom together. Every woman deserves both the dignity of meaningful work and the freedom of a healthy body.
Its work is delivered through two flagship programmes, #SkillsToEmpower (dignified livelihoods) and #BleedGood (sustainable menstrual health).
COVID-19 cuts Selyn's sales by 70%. The Foundation finds that nearly 30% of its own artisans cannot afford menstrual products, a problem that reflects a national crisis. It also sees that period poverty can't be solved without tackling menstrual waste.
The Foundation launches #BleedGood with a Buy One, Give Back campaign and the first reusable pad. Pads come with menstrual health education from day one.
Strategic partnerships are established to expand #BleedGood's reach. Innovation funding from WUSC/EUMC, with support from Canada, lets the team develop and standardise the pad.
The standardised reusable pad launches, along with a monitoring and evaluation framework for learning. Over 5,000 pads are donated to more than 600 women and girls, together with menstrual hygiene education.
Looking ahead
Over the coming year, the Selyn Foundation and FemmeCare are taking #BleedGood and #SkillsToEmpower into new communities, with new partners and sharper questions.
Twenty community champions will be trained to lead #BleedGood workshops in their own communities in 2026–27, reaching around 1,000 women and girls.
Phase II of #BleedGood, supported by WUSC Canada, is a learning pilot. About 300 participants across Anuradhapura, Monaragala and Kalutara will be followed for 12 months, with check-ins at one, three and six months, to learn what keeps people using reusable pads. We'll share the findings openly so other programmes can use them too.
Through #SkillsToEmpower, 10 young women and women returning to work will complete a three-month production skills course, with mentoring, certification and a route to work in the Selyn ecosystem. What we learn will shape a larger community training and employment centre.
How we fit together
Non-profit
A non-profit that delivers programmes — #SkillsToEmpower and #BleedGood.
FemTech company
Established by the Selyn Group in 2025, a separate women-led FemTech company that makes reusable menstrual products.
Working together
We work with communities, government, civil society, development partners and the private sector.
To #BleedGood is a basic human right.
Fight with us to end period poverty in Sri Lanka.
#BleedGood #SelynFoundation